The Stumblingblock

Good morning and welcome in. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture but before we do that I wanted to ask you a little question.

What kind of family did you grow up in? Each of us in our hearts have convictions about what we feel is right and wrong.  Many people become Christians who have been converted from other religions. In those religions they have learned from a child that certain things are bad and they shouldn’t have or do certain things.  In the church we want to make sure that we’re not a stumbling block to others and causing them to do something that they feel is inherently evil or sinful in their own mind.  

Rom 14:1-23

14 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

The Apostle Paul understood that nothing was unclean of itself but it had to do with convictions that a person might have in their own mind. What might be bad for one person is not for another. But you always have to remember that the freedoms that we have in Christ to enjoy certain things, whatever it is you do or enjoy, you don’t want a brother in the church to feel like they have sinned by attempting to do what you do.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

When you are a stumblingblock you are causing someone to sin or go against convictions in their heart.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Remember the end of the Commandment is love out of a pure heart.  We are supposed to love one another and bend to the convictions of a brother in the church..

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

When we edify one another it means to build each other up.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

You don’t want to do anything that might cause a brother to fall into some sort of temptation or cause him to feel in his own mind that he is sinning. Although we have numerous liberties and freedoms in the New Testament you don’t want to do an activity that is inherently wrong in the mind of another brother. You may be able to do it by yourself but not while in their presence.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

1 Cor 8:1-13

8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Remember that food and drink is just that. It goes into the stomach for sustenance. It truly doesn’t make us a better or a worse person.  They are physical things rather than spiritual. These things have nothing to do with love goodness kindness and faith. But again, not everyone can do certain things.  What is okay for you might be wrong for them. If they were attempting to do the same, they would feel like they were sinning.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

If you have faith that you can do certain things then have it in private with God who freely gives us all things to enjoy.

Let’s think about those things for today and Lord willing I’ll talk to you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye-bye everybody.💖

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